Sign In

The Go-Mer-Tonic™ Thread - Today's Topic: Whose your favorite author and why? — Page 12

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
The new topic: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich equated bilingual education Saturday with "the language of living in a ghetto" and mocked requirements that ballots be printed in multiple languages.


I will tend to agree, by accommodating these people who refuse to learn our language we are crippling them and, in my experience, I have never been to any afluent community in the US where the predominant language is Spanish or German. Every community I've been to where they all speak Spanish is ALWAYS run down and old, so it is a ghetto language to me.
Author
Time
Post link
In the Ghetto....


Man, I get get Mr. Presleys song out of my head, it pops in there everytime I see this thread.

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

Author
Time
Post link
Do we really want to end up like some stupid country that can only speak its own language? How else are we going to speak with our neighbors? I hate these nationalist fucks. How are we ever going to be like the rest of the world if we can onoly speak one language?
Author
Time
Post link
How many other countries do you know of that actually accommodate multiple languages in the same way that the U.S. does?


I can walk into a Burger King in Los Angeles, and nearly every single object with writing on it has a Spanish duplicate. How in the hell is simply using print in one language in public places making them "nationalist fucks"?

http://i.imgur.com/7N84TM8.jpg

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Nanner Split
How many other countries do you know of that actually accommodate multiple languages in the same way that the U.S. does?


I can walk into a Burger King in Los Angeles, and nearly every single object with writing on it has a Spanish duplicate. How in the hell is simply using print in one language in public places making them "nationalist fucks"?


I'm talking about the people who want to get Bilingual education out of the schools.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
How are we ever going to be like the rest of the world if we can onoly speak one language?


Speak two languages? Ha! We have a hard enough time with the one we do know. (I know it is a typo, I am just playing. I am sure you can find any number of typos in my own posts)

Are we talking about putting more emphasis on teaching our children Spanish? Or are we talking about flipping the dang cereal box around fifty times trying to find the one side that is in English? I do not want us to become like Canada where every DVD requires the title to be in English and French. That is unacceptable to me. Also what you brought up about being like the rest of the world goes for the other side to.

If the foreigners don't learn English, and become citizens and vote, still not knowing English, I don't think that does anybody any good. I worked with a bunch of legal aliens for about six months during a temporary job I once had. They got paid the same as rest of us, but did a lot less work. The job required filling out a lot of paperwork, and they would always have to ask us to do it for them because they couldn't read the forms. As a result we had to stop what we were doing and help them while they stared over our shoulders watching us fill out their paperwork for the next couple of minutes. This was only tolerated because the supervisior happened to be of the same nationality as them, and told us to help them fill out their forms. Later when that supervisior was transfered, one of the first things the new supervisior did was to sack all of them because they couldn't do their own work. With minimal effort they could have learned enough English to fill out their own papers and they wouldn't have been fired.

I agree with Ferris, I think we often cripple our imigrants by accommodating to the level we do.

I also somewhat agree with Sean, as a person who is bilingual myself (trilingual, depending on whether of not you count a dead language), I think it is a terribly useful skill to have, and if began from a young age, a very easy thing to learn. I think we should teach foreign languages starting in the 1st grade or so, Spanish in High School is too little, too late.

But I also disagree with Sean, In England you go just a short ways and you are in France. In Germany you go just a little ways and you are in Italy. In Greece you go just a short ways and you are in Macedonia. There are any number of other directions you can travel just a short ways in any of these countries and run across as many languages. In Oregon go just a little way and you are in Washington, in Washington go just a little ways and find yourself in Idaho or Canada. Maybe in Canada you might run into some French speakers, but chances are good that they will know English. From Oklahoma travel a ways and you may find yourself in Kansas or Texas. America is an English speaking country. There may be a lot of immigration, but I really think it is their duty to learn our language.

Traveling around the world I find this to be very true, "When in Rome do as the Romans do, but when in America be yourself" Every country you go to you are expected to fit in, but when visiting America you'll find we are very tolerant to foreigners showing an ignorance of our culture. I think this is a good thing, no doubt, but I think we take it too far sometimes. Anytime I have to fill out any documents that require information from my passport I have to sift through "Name/Nombre/Nom/Nome", and the same thing for age, eye color, hair color etc. Seriously, it really gets on my nerves. It is just going a little too far.

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

Author
Time
Post link
You know the universe is a very silly place C3PX.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
You know the universe is a very silly place C3PX.


It sure is.

Great sig Sean. I love Douglas Adams.

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
Do we really want to end up like some stupid country that can only speak its own language? How else are we going to speak with our neighbors? I hate these nationalist fucks. How are we ever going to be like the rest of the world if we can onoly speak one language?


Bilingual education isn't about being able to speak with our neighbors. Bilingual education is about teaching the spanish speaking kids in two languages in the hope that if they don't pick up the english (they won't), they'll learn from the spanish. If you want kids to be able to speak more than one useful language, teach them more than just spanish. Personally, I've never known anyone in a high enough position in life that spoke spanish. Chinese, Japanese, French, or German maybe, but not Spanish. I should probably call it Mexican though. The spanish that Mexican's speak isn't the same as the spanish that Spain speaks.

I think you'll find that most of the rest of the world teaches their children multiple languages (not just the home language and English), but that their signs and other things are only in the home language. As another poster said, when in Rome, do as the Romans, but apparently when in America, do as you've always done.

With respect to the language of a ghetto, I'd agree. Everywhere I've seen large mexican communities, it looks like a hole. It's not a place I want to be in or stay at. I'd much rather be in an upscale, affluent area where people keep their stuff clean.
F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
Author
Time
Post link
Learning a second (or third) language at school is excellent.
But if every writing has a spanish duplicate that's just plain stupid. If you go to another country the first thing you do is learn the language they speak there. Fucking adapt! Even every R1 dvd has also a spanish audio and/or subtile track...
For Europe I think it would be a good idea for some writing to have english duplicate because of the many different languages and relative small countries.
Fez: I am so excited about Star Whores.
Hyde: Fezzy, man, it's Star Wars.
Author
Time
Post link
Also in Europe you often have the case where a single product is made at a single factory, then send out to multiple countries. In cases like this printing only one box with multiple languages writen on it makes sense to cut down on costs. But in our case we want to be a truly international country and are wanting everything to have dual languages written on them. Arnie, you couldn't have said it better, when you move to another country the first thing you do is learn their language. Adapt. Humans are very adaptable, even a middle age person who has a slower learning ability than some one in their preteen years can pick up the gist of the practical aspects of a language in about a month, if they will fully emmerse themselves in it. But when you are not obligated to do something, why bother?

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
Do we really want to end up like some stupid country that can only speak its own language? How else are we going to speak with our neighbors?



Our neighbors?

Well, shit - I guess with Canadians we'll just use English and with Mexicans we'll use Mexican sign language (meaning we'll just point to the area of grass that we want cut.)

Problem solved.

Harrison Ford Has Pretty Much Given Up on His Son. Here's Why

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Stinky-Dinkins
Originally posted by: sean wookie
Do we really want to end up like some stupid country that can only speak its own language? How else are we going to speak with our neighbors?



Our neighbors?

Well, shit - I guess with Canadians we'll just use English and with Mexicans we'll use Mexican sign language (meaning we'll just point to the area of grass that we want cut.)

Problem solved.


HAHAHA! That was awesome!

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

Author
Time
Post link
Since what Vbangle did I think it's my turn to offend someone. I really just don't like Israel.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
Since what Vbangle did I think it's my turn to offend someone. I really just don't like Israel.


I am such a bastard.

I love everybody. Lets all smoke some reefer and chill. Hug and kisses for everybody.

Author
Time
Post link
It's really all the trouble they start. I like Jew's and all. But we gave 30 Billion in the last year? We didn't even give that much to the countries that were involved in the 2004 Tsunami, which could of used it a hell of a lot more than them. I hate to say it but we deserve to have the Palestinians hating us going in their world and changing their cultures. Face it. Don't give me the Jew's got it for reparations from the Holocaust bullshit there are many people's who have gone through longer and bigger genocides I don't see America giving back land to the Indians (Besides a few little specks of land). But if the Jew's where in the Palestinians place I'd bet they would be doing the same thing.

*Prepares for flaming*
Author
Time
Post link
Wow....

Let me ask you this, and I expect an answer;

Do you honestly think is Israel would be gone, all of the middle east would be in beautiful peace?
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
It's really all the trouble they start. I like Jew's and all. But we gave 30 Billion in the last year? We didn't even give that much to the countries that were involved in the 2004 Tsunami, which could of used it a hell of a lot more than them. I hate to say it but we deserve to have the Palestinians hating us going in their world and changing their cultures. Face it. Don't give me the Jew's got it for reparations from the Holocaust bullshit there are many people's who have gone through longer and bigger genocides I don't see America giving back land to the Indians (Besides a few little specks of land). But if the Jew's where in the Palestinians place I'd bet they would be doing the same thing.

*Prepares for flaming*

I think it is 30 billion in the next 10 years. If the US doesn't support Israel military like they do Israel probably would not exist anymore. But Israel is doing criminal things as well. Like building that safety wall on Palestinian land, the humiliations at the checkpoints and the crap they did during occupations.
Fez: I am so excited about Star Whores.
Hyde: Fezzy, man, it's Star Wars.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
It's really all the trouble they start. I like Jew's and all. But we gave 30 Billion in the last year? We didn't even give that much to the countries that were involved in the 2004 Tsunami, which could of used it a hell of a lot more than them. I hate to say it but we deserve to have the Palestinians hating us going in their world and changing their cultures. Face it. Don't give me the Jew's got it for reparations from the Holocaust bullshit there are many people's who have gone through longer and bigger genocides I don't see America giving back land to the Indians (Besides a few little specks of land). But if the Jew's where in the Palestinians place I'd bet they would be doing the same thing.

*Prepares for flaming*


Stop trolling.
F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: lordjedi
Originally posted by: sean wookie
It's really all the trouble they start. I like Jew's and all. But we gave 30 Billion in the last year? We didn't even give that much to the countries that were involved in the 2004 Tsunami, which could of used it a hell of a lot more than them. I hate to say it but we deserve to have the Palestinians hating us going in their world and changing their cultures. Face it. Don't give me the Jew's got it for reparations from the Holocaust bullshit there are many people's who have gone through longer and bigger genocides I don't see America giving back land to the Indians (Besides a few little specks of land). But if the Jew's where in the Palestinians place I'd bet they would be doing the same thing.

*Prepares for flaming*


Stop trolling.


I'm not trolling this is really my opinion. I'm not allowed to have a opinion?
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: sean wookie
I'm not trolling this is really my opinion. I'm not allowed to have a opinion?


Oh, you can have an opinion. It helps if it's an intelligent one though.

Have you read any of the history on the conflict over there? The Palestinians don't just want some land. They want the Jews gone. Just about every country surrounding Israel wants them gone. If we stopped giving them money and stopped supporting them, the other countries would attack in the blink of an eye, much like they did the day after Israel was recreated way back in 1947.

Seriously dude, it's got a lot less to do with us giving Israel funds and a lot more to do with blind hatred. Take a look at this flash presentation for a brief summary of what's been going on. And if you dig a little bit deeper, you'll find out its been going on for even longer than that.

It's not about reparations. It's about giving them a place to live. Historically and Biblically, they're right back where they started.
F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: lordjedi
If we stopped giving them money and stopped supporting them, the other countries would attack in the blink of an eye, much like they did the day after Israel was recreated way back in 1947.


Are you forgetting that Israel has one of the worlds largest nuclear ICBM programs next to the USA, Russia and China.....?

I love everybody. Lets all smoke some reefer and chill. Hug and kisses for everybody.

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: vbangle
Originally posted by: lordjedi
If we stopped giving them money and stopped supporting them, the other countries would attack in the blink of an eye, much like they did the day after Israel was recreated way back in 1947.


Are you forgetting that Israel has one of the worlds largest nuclear ICBM programs next to the USA, Russia and China.....?

What do they need intercontinental missiles for? Aren't all there enemies at the same continent?


Fez: I am so excited about Star Whores.
Hyde: Fezzy, man, it's Star Wars.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: vbangle
Originally posted by: lordjedi
If we stopped giving them money and stopped supporting them, the other countries would attack in the blink of an eye, much like they did the day after Israel was recreated way back in 1947.


Are you forgetting that Israel has one of the worlds largest nuclear ICBM programs next to the USA, Russia and China.....?


Nope. I'm fully aware of Israel's nuclear capabilities. I just looked up some items on their space program as well. They don't necessarily have full ICBMs, but it's not a huge jump to go from a space program to ICBM capabilities.

Are you forgetting that no one wins a nuclear war? Israel isn't going to launch first. They do have a very powerful military, but they won't be the first ones to launch. If anything, Iran will attempt to detonate a nuclear bomb in Israel. If they really want to see the middle east disappear in the blink of an eye, they'll do it. They'll likely be able to detonate one nuke on Israeli soil before Israel strikes back with a vengeance.

Remember what happened when Israel was recently attacked by Lebanon? Israel struck back hard, hitting far more targets and killing far more people than Lebanon did. They weren't messing around and they weren't going to sit back and just be attacked. Yeah, world opinion got pissed off at Israel, but apparently everybody forgot that Hezbollah attacked first and that Israel was fighting back, trying to take out the targets. It really isn't their fault that Hezbollah, and any other terrorist nation, puts missile launchers in civilian structures.

Israel has no problem defending themselves, but there's no reason we shouldn't sell them weapons and provide some aid to help them out.
F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
Author
Time
Post link
I'm not sure Iran (or any other Muslim country) would throw nukes on Israel if they could since 2 of the 6 most holy places to Muslims are in Israel. They certainly aren't going to throw a nuke anywhere near Hebron or Jerusalem.
Fez: I am so excited about Star Whores.
Hyde: Fezzy, man, it's Star Wars.